Clinks Light Lunch | Issue 663 | 4th December 2020

Light Lunch

In this week's edition...

      CLINKS NEWS: still time to feed into what Clinks Thinks

      Clinks thinks the Ministry of Justice, commissioners, and all service providers should embed the involvement of people with lived experience throughout the criminal justice system to inform policy and practice. In our work to influence government policy, should this be a priority? We want our advocacy work to accurately reflect the experiences of voluntary organisations working in criminal justice. Take just eight minutes to share your thoughts on our current policy priorities, and tell us what else you would like to see Clinks advocate for on behalf of the voluntary sector working in criminal justice. You will help inform our future influencing activity and a new edition of Clinks Thinks which we aim to publish in 2021. The survey is open until 10th December. Read more about this work here, and take the survey here

      CLINKS BLOG: leading radical change

      In this blog, Clinks CEO Anne Fox speaks to Pat McArdle, CEO of Mayday Trust, about her experience of leading a radical change in Mayday Trust, not just in how they delivered support, but in how the entire organisation thought, acted and responded to make sure Mayday was person-led and that the focus of the work recognised that the problem was the system, not the people. As an organisation, Mayday has undergone a transformation from being a conventional service provider in the social care sector to a pioneer in challenging the systems available to people experiencing tough times. Pat spoke at our Annual Conference in June 2020. Watch her contribution and read her conversation with Anne here

      CLINKS EVENT: the impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector working in criminal justice

      Over the course of the pandemic, Clinks has been collecting information about how voluntary organisations working in criminal justice have been affected by Covid-19, how they have adapted to the changing environment, and the challenges they have faced. We are launching an in-depth report based on this research [8th December, online, free]. Join us to hear from voluntary organisations on how they’ve been impacted by the pandemic. We will also hear from speakers involved in the #nevermoreneeded campaign, including: Rita Chadha, CEO of Small Charities Coalition; Debra Allcock Tyler, CEO of Directory of Social Change; and Max Rutherford, Head of Policy, Association of Charitable Funders. Book your place here

      CLINKS EVENTS: watch probation Dynamic Framework events

      To support organisations to understand the Dynamic Framework and what it means for them, we recently ran online events alongside Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service. Our events covered the commissioning processes, IT standards, meeting the needs of black, Asian and minority ethnic people and information and guidance on building partnerships and consortia. For those who were unable to attend, we now have video recordings of four events available to watch on our website. If you are struggling to navigate the probation reforms and the Dynamic Framework, we also have a handy jargon buster and some FAQs to help you understand the process. You can also email our probation mailbox with questions using probation@clinks.org. Watch the videos here

      CLINKS EVENT: health and justice network meeting

      Our health and justice network meetings provide an opportunity for voluntary sector health and justice organisations to come together to discuss health issues and inequalities that affect the people they work with, and how they deliver their services [9th December, online, free]. In this meeting, we will also discuss the impact that Covid-19 is having on voluntary sector health and justice organisations. This meeting is for voluntary sector organisations whose services support people in contact with the criminal justice system with the following issues: physical health; mental health; substance and alcohol misuse; pregnancy and maternity; ageing; learning disabilities and neurodiversity. Book your place here

      CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: survivors and witnesses of crime

      As part of the next phase of its Language Barriers in the Criminal Justice System project, the research team at Victim Support would like to invite survivors and witnesses of crime who speak English as an additional language to take part in confidential telephone interviews to discuss their experiences of the criminal justice system. These interviews will provide crucial insight into the issues and challenges survivors are facing in the criminal justice system, as well as identifying ways in which processes and the services offered could be improved. If your organisation works directly with survivors and/or witnesses of crime and you are interested in supporting this research, please contact Andrea Anastassiou (Research Assistant) for further information.

      CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: inspections of probation services

      HM Inspectorate of Probation has published its annual report based on inspections of probation services during 2019/2020. Ahead of substantial changes for the probation service, the report reflects on a challenging year for a system impacted by Covid-19, and the ongoing legacy of the Transforming Rehabilitation reforms. The report highlights concerns around public protection and the effective management of risk of harm, accommodation provision and high caseloads for probation officers. Read the report here

      CLINKS MEMBER’S NEWS: frontline network opportunity

      The St Martin-in-the-Fields Frontline Network has two opportunities for organisations to join its Partner Community in England. It is particularly interested in hearing from organisations in South Yorkshire. The Frontline Network welcomes applications from voluntary, public and statutory sector organisations to run either a geographical or thematic focused local network. As a partner, you will setup and facilitate a local network in your area. This will provide opportunities for frontline staff to come together regularly; to network, share expertise/experience and have opportunities to link to and influence decision makers. Expressions of interest for stage one of the process close at 5pm on 16th December. Further details and a first stage expression of interest form can be downloaded here

      CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: service user involvement market engagement

      The Ministry of Justice Probation Dynamic Framework Team is seeking to develop and compete a national contract which will provide expert input and support from people with lived experience of probation services, to help it strengthen its current approach to service user involvement (SUI). The successful bidder will work in partnership with National Probation Service colleagues at all levels. The procurement of the SUI service will be conducted via the Dynamic Framework. In order to be invited to the call-off competition, bidders will need to be qualified in the Service User Involvement category in time for the start of call-off competitions – so must submit a selection questionnaire response for this category by 15th January 2021. Market engagement information will be sent in early January and will cover service specifications, payment and performance, contract terms and the procurement timetable. Queries can be made through Jaggaer here

      CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM: prison visits update

      As of 2nd December, prisons in England Tier 1 and 2 areas can reintroduce social visits, subject to any outbreak control measures. Social visits to sites in England Tier 3 areas will continue to be temporarily suspended at this stage. Individual visits to Tier 3 prisons may be permitted for compassionate reasons, including visits to children in custody. In Wales, prisons have reintroduced social visits where safe to do so. However, current travel restrictions in Wales mean that visitors from England cannot visit Welsh prisons, except on compassionate grounds. Those resident in Wales are similarly not able to visit prisons in England, except on compassionate grounds. Please check with individual prisons for more information

      FUNDING: mental health

      Association of Mental Health Providers has launched a small grants fund as part of its Mental Health Sustainability Programme. This fund will be used to provide grants of up to £5,000 to support the sustainability of mental health voluntary, community and social enterprise provider organisations, with a turnover of £25-500k. Funding will prioritise those that are supporting the mental health and wellbeing of communities disproportionately impacted by Covid-19; with a focus on organisations that are led by and/or are supporting Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic communities. It will also consider applications from organisations supporting other disadvantaged groups such as the homeless community, those in contact with the criminal justice system, children and young people, women and girls and victims of domestic violence. Read more and apply before 13th December here

      FUNDING: disadvantaged children and young people

      Grants of up to £10,000 are available from the Ironmongers’ Company for projects in the UK that provide opportunities for disadvantaged children and young people under the age of 25 years to fulfil their potential. Funding is for projects that will deliver clearly defined, educational benefits and develop learning, motivation and skills. The Company is particularly interested in enabling primary age children to develop a strong foundation for the future. Find out more and apply by 15th December here

      FUNDING: Greater Manchester BAME Network

      The Greater Manchester black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) Network has been allocated additional funding, from Comic Relief and the National Emergency Fund, to open a second round of the Emergency Grants for its Greater Manchester BAME Communities programme. Grants are available for Greater Manchester BAME-led voluntary organisations to focus on emergency needs within BAME communities. The grants will fund new activities and services as well as the additional costs of adapting existing services due to Covid-19. A rolling micro grants programme (£50 - £1,000) is now live with grants being awarded on an ongoing basis and decisions communicated within three weeks. A second round of small grants (£1,000 - £3,000) will be launched in the near future. Find out more and apply for a micro grant here

      CLINKS MEMBER’S TRAINING: stories of lived experience

      The Forgiveness Project is running a new course, ‘Working with stories of lived experience’ [4th February – 18th March, online, from £580]. It is designed to explore approaches and perspectives relating to forgiveness, restorative narratives, shame and resilience. This course, run over four sessions, offers tools and techniques to build participants’ knowledge and practice of the use of storytelling in their work. It offers new approaches to working with individuals and groups, and supports participants to develop resilience and empathetic relationships with clients and colleagues. Find more information here

      PUBLICATION: women convicted under joint enterprise laws

      Stories of Injustice, a report by Becky Clarke and Dr Kathryn Chadwick from Manchester Metropolitan University, casts new light on the number and experiences of women imprisoned under laws relating to joint enterprise. Joint enterprise is a set of legal principles grounded in common law, allowing for the collective punishment of multiple defendants for a single offence. There are at least 109 women convicted in England and Wales under joint enterprise laws. The convictions stretch back to 2004. Read the full report here and Russell Webster’s summary here

      RESOURCE: Covid-19 guidance for voluntary organisations

      NCVO has redesigned its Knowhow coronavirus guidance making it easier to navigate. There are several new sections including delivering services and activities, safeguarding in voluntary organisations and fundraising and Covid-19. NCVO has also updated several sections in line with current restrictions such as working safely, supporting staff wellbeing and retaining and engaging volunteers. See it here

      FEATURED VACANCY: Operations Manager

      Clean Break is looking for a friendly, practical and solutions-driven Operations Manager [£30,000, full time (fixed term), London] to oversee day-to-day facilities operations for the next nine months at its building in Kentish Town. The Clean Break base houses four rehearsal studios, offices and communal spaces. The post holder will ensure a warm, professional and safe working environment for Clean Break staff, beneficiaries, contractors and other visitors, and keep the building and core systems running smoothly and sustainably. Over the nine months, you'll also help Clean Break to work out longer term management needs for the building and the facilities on site, in a post-Covid world. Find out more and apply by 14th December here

      CLINKS MEMBERS’ VACANCIES

      Support Worker at Nacro [Yorkshire and Humberside], Recovery Coordinator with Humankind [Newcastle upon Tyne], Digital Project Delivery Officer with Thames Valley Partnership [Home based], People and Culture Lead with Changing Lives [Flexible], Operations Manager with AVision for Empowerment CIC [Birmingham], Coach Supervisor with Spark Inside [Home based], Administrator with St Giles Trust [HMP Parc], Business Development Manager with Tomorrow’s Women Wirral [Birkenhead], Community Chaplain with Futures Unlocked [Rugby], Executive Assistant with Triple A Project [Penrith], Project Coordinator with Lancashire Women [Styal, Manchester], Volunteer Coordinator with Women at the Well [London]. For more information about these vacancies, and many more, click here

      TIPS OF THE WEEK

      • 2020 Christmas tree decoration. £2.89. Details
      • Smart Bluetooth LED strip lights. £6.98. Details
      • Kid's smart sticks building kit. £12.99. Details

      EXTRA INFORMATION

      About Clinks Light Lunch

      This edition of Light Lunch has been sent to the inbox of 13,541 people working (or with an interest) in the criminal justice system of England and Wales.

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